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The outreach scheme aims to get more young people to consider careers in STEM subjects. First launched by Marshall Group in 2015, other city firms including TTP, Arm, Marshall and Schlumberger have now joined the initiative as core partners. This year it is being run by Form the Future, the community interest company set up to help young people coming out of education make their way in the world of work.

Launch of Cambridge Launchpad Scholarship at Churchill College. Robert Marshall. (Image: David Johnson)

A launch event was held at Churchill College, attended by representatives from 10 local schools and the Cambridge Home Educating Families Network. The core partners will be designing and delivering a programme of activities to students in the Cambridge area across the academic year alongside 15 other companies, and the launch was a chance for the schools to meet ambassadors from the companies.

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Guest speaker Professor Dame Athene Donald gave a keynote speech which highlighted the importance of STEM and the gender gap in education and careers. The biggest disparity is in physics, where only 20% of A-Level students are girls. This number falls at higher education level and decreases further in industry and academia.

Professor Donald, who is professor of experimental physics and Master of Churchill College, said: “I’m delighted to support this great initiative for the Cambridge region. It’s so important to inspire more young people – girls and boys – into STEM careers.”

Launch of Cambridge Launchpad Scholarship at Churchill College. Michaela Eschbach, Anna Aldred and Andy Rice from Form the Future. (Image: David Johnson)

“We are absolutely brimming with pride and overwhelmed by the number of companies within the Cambridge and Greater Cambridge STEM communities that share the Cambridge LaunchPad objective – to inspire, enthuse and educate our local young people," said Michaela Eschbach, co-founder of Form the Future CIC.

Michaela Eschbach (Image: David Johnson)

"Without all of our contributing partners, notably our Core Partners Arm, Marshall, Schlumberger and TTP, Cambridge LaunchPad would not be able to engage in the way it does to shape the future of local students and the STEM sector. This year marks the start of a new phase for Cambridge LaunchPad and we are delighted to be a part of the changes and to see it go from strength to strength.”